Dangers of Returning Home After a Storm
If you compare this year to the last two hurricane seasons, Louisiana has been very much unscathed in 2022. Last Wednesday, August 28th, Hurricane Ian made landfall on Cayo Costa Island, Florida. This massive hurricane caused incredible devastation to countless communities. Our Large Loss team is currently in Florida helping many people recover from this storm. While our state was not affected this time around, the dangers of returning home after a storm remain the same.
When you own a business or home, going through a natural disaster can be a terrifying experience. After the storm has passed, getting your business or residence repaired and back to normal may be another challenge that you have to face. Storm cleanup involves dealing with some scary health risks such as water contamination, waterborne diseases that cause illness, and microbial growth that you could be exposing you, your family or employees to.
It is always good to be cautious about the following health and storm damage hazards when you are returning to your home. Keeping yourself, your family and team members safe and out of harm’s way helps you start the storm damage restoration process.
Contaminated Water
Hurricanes and severe storms can contaminate the public water supply, especially if the area has experienced tidal surge or flooding. Always be weary of drinking the water from a storm damage-affected area.
Your home or other property may be submerged in flood water that is typically contaminated by sewage and harmful chemicals. The water may even carry diseases like cholera and E. coli. These can contain dangerous debris like broken glass and sharp metal. Be extremely cautious when trying to reenter your home or remove your belongings.
Mold and Microbial Growth
Standing water and excess moisture after natural disasters causes the growth of mold in homes. After water damage occurs, mold can grow within 24 to 48 hours.
Children and people with weakened immune systems should not be part of the disaster cleanup work due to health concerns. Mold exposure can cause various health effects, like allergic reactions, difficulty breathing, headache, and fatigue.
Controlling the moisture in your home is the most critical factor for preventing growth and removing mold is the only way to ensure you, your family or staff’s safety. It’s best to enlist a mold inspection and remediation service company to address these issues professionally.
Electrical Safety Hazards
When the storm is over, there is sure to be down power lines. Remain careful around down power lines and report them to utility companies as soon as possible. In addition, try to avoid standing water or puddles to reduce the risk of electric shock if there is a current present.
If you enter your home or office and smell burning or see damaged wire, turn off the electricity immediately. Many of these electrical safety threats remain even after the severe weather is over.
Restoration After the Storm
Always remember that you are not in this alone! Contact a professional accredited by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC) that can help you get your business or home back to normal after a hurricane or severe weather event. Do not hesitate to contact Guarantee Restoration Services for help. We are IICRC-certified storm disaster recovery professionals that are ready to respond 24/7 which is not just a number… it’s a GUARANTEE!
